What’s new for Fiesta 2017

Updated 1:13 pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

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This year, Fiesta Fiesta will kick off the 10-day city-wide celebration at Hemisfair Park instead of Alamo Plaza. Keep scrolling to find out what other changes and new events are coming to Fiesta 2017.

This year, Fiesta Fiesta will kick off the 10-day city-wide celebration at Hemisfair Park instead of Alamo Plaza. Keep scrolling to find out what other changes and new events are coming to Fiesta 2017.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

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Keep clicking to see the new events coming to Fiesta this year and changes coming to some well-known events.

Keep clicking to see the new events coming to Fiesta this year and changes coming to some well-known events.

Photo: Matthew Busch/For The San Antonio Express-News

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The Valero Texas Open 19th Hole Fiesta: Presented by Kickstart by Mountain Dew, this tees off after the third round of the golf tournament, with live music by ’80s cover band The Spazmatics and yard games, plus plenty of Fiesta foods and drinks. $20 general admission in advance, $30 at the gate. 5-10 p.m. April 22, The Backyard, TPC San Antonio, 23808 Resort Parkway, valerotexasopen.com.

The Valero Texas Open 19th Hole Fiesta: Presented by Kickstart by Mountain Dew, this tees off after the third round of the golf tournament, with live music by ’80s cover band The Spazmatics and yard games,

The RivALZ: Blondes v. Brunettes Football Game: Hosted by the San Antonio & South Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the event tackles the disease with both Fiesta spirit and a spirited flag football game. Through this friendly pigskin rivalry program, the RivALZ volunteer league helps support those with Alzheimer’s, as well as those who care for them. $10 admission, free ages 11 and younger, 2-4 p.m. April 23, Alamo Stadium, 110 Tuleta Drive. 210-822-6449 or 800-272-3900, alz.org/sanantonio, click Events.

The RivALZ: Blondes v. Brunettes Football Game: Hosted by the San Antonio & South Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the event tackles the disease with both Fiesta spirit and a spirited flag

Fiesta Tech Trek: The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Tech Bloc give the city’s technology sector a Fiesta jolt with the inaugural Fiesta Tech Trek, an informal tour of the downtown San Antonio Tech District for an inside look at the growing local tech scene. Meet and greet participating tech companies, entrepreneurs and investors, including Codeup, Jungle Disk and the many startups at Geekdom. Admission price to be determined, 5-8 p.m. April 25, see fiestatechtrek.splashthat.com for event locations and information.

Fiesta Tech Trek: The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Tech Bloc give the city’s technology sector a Fiesta jolt with the inaugural Fiesta Tech Trek, an informal tour of the downtown San Antonio Tech

San Antonio Polo Club’s Fiesta Kings Cup: Meanwhile, the San Antonio Polo Club’s Fiesta Kings Cup returns as an official Fiesta event, as teams for King Antonio and El Rey Feo square off in a polo match with four chukkers (periods) and a championship round. Guests can get in on an intermission “divot stamp,” a polo tradition where you stomp field divots back into place for the safety of the polo ponies and players. There’s also a fancy hat contest, plus prizes and a silent auction. $150 VIP, $10 advance general admission and $20 at-the-gate general admission, 12-4:30 p.m. April 23, Olmos Basin Park, 651 Devine Road. sanantoniopoloclub.com.

San Antonio Polo Club’s Fiesta Kings Cup: Meanwhile, the San Antonio Polo Club’s Fiesta Kings Cup returns as an official Fiesta event, as teams for King Antonio and El Rey Feo square off in a polo match

What's new: The Fiesta Fiesta opening ceremony now moves to Hemisfair, scooching a few blocks from its previous confines at Alamo Plaza.There’s also a new kid-friendly area called Fiesta Fiesta HeART in the Park.

What's new: The Fiesta Fiesta opening ceremony now moves to Hemisfair, scooching a few blocks from its previous confines at Alamo Plaza.There’s also a new kid-friendly area called Fiesta Fiesta HeART in the

What's new: Along with local wines and craft beers, the food festival offers a culinary tour of themed delights such as “Tex-Mex” of South Texas, “The Acadian Coast” along the Gulf, and “Cattle Country” of the North and Northwest.

Taste of Texas advance VIP tickets cost $75 if bought by Saturday via fiesta-sa.org, or $100 at the door if not sold out.

What's new: A Night in Old San Antonio, better known as NIOSA, has upgraded its ticket purchasing and onsite offerings. Now you can buy etickets via mobile device at the new and improved NIOSA website, niosa.org. Even better, discount advance tickets run $12 online, compared to $15 at the gate for adults. (Ages 12 and younger are free with paying adult.)

NIOSA runs April 25-28 on the grounds of La Villita, 418 Villita. Visit niosa.org or call 210-226-5188 for more information.

What's new: A Night in Old San Antonio, better known as NIOSA, has upgraded its ticket purchasing and onsite offerings. Now you can buy etickets via mobile device at the new and improved NIOSA website,

Fiesta always finds a way to freshen up the fun, this year with a handful of new events, new features for a Fiesta staple, and a new home for the big party’s big kickoff.

Let’s start with the official start to Fiesta. The Fiesta Fiesta opening ceremony now moves to Hemisfair, scooching a few blocks from its previous confines at Alamo Plaza.

That means more elbow room for all the Fiesta Fiesta fun fun, such as the People’s Parade, the cracking of the giant cascarón and Pin Pandemonium where you can buy, sell or trade Fiesta medals. There’s also a new kid-friendly area called Fiesta Fiesta HeART in the Park.

Fiesta Fiesta also will host the Taste of Texas culinary event 4:30-9 p.m. at the Marriott Plaza Courtyard. Along with local wines and craft beers, the food festival offers a culinary tour of themed delights such as “Tex-Mex” of South Texas, “The Acadian Coast” along the Gulf, and “Cattle Country” of the North and Northwest.

Taste of Texas advance VIP tickets cost $75 if bought by Saturday via fiesta-sa.org, or $100 at the door if not sold out.

Meanwhile, A Night in Old San Antonio, better known as NIOSA, has upgraded its ticket purchasing and onsite offerings.

Now you can buy etickets via mobile device at the new and improved NIOSA website, niosa.org. Even better, discount advance tickets run $12 online, compared to $15 at the gate for adults. (Ages 12 and younger are free with paying adult.)

Once you’re at NIOSA, save room for the new food and libations, which include funnel cake fries and chicken and waffles on a stick, as well as craft beers on draft from Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling and NIOSARITAs in lime and strawberry flavors.

NIOSA runs April 25-28 on the grounds of La Villita, 418 Villita. Visit niosa.org or call 210-226-5188 for more information.